The glitch scene (with the black cat) is one of my favourite scenes in the Matrix. There isn’t any action or big event – but it’s fascinating conceptually. The idea is that some of the more unusual phenomena of the human mind are not phenomena of the human mind but a ‘glitch’ in a reality we are forced to experience. In this case, the idea that our sense of ‘deja-vu’ is a glitch in the Matrix. Trinity explains to Neo (Keanu Reeves) that “deja-vu is usually a glitch in the matrix. It happens when they change something.”

Also, on a linguistic note, “Deja-vu” is a good example of English robbing from the French language. In english we use many French words without translating them and with a French pronunciation: for example – rendez vous ( a meeting point) and bon voyage (buen viaje). So, the next time you have a deja-vu ask yourself what it really means. However, the next time a black cat crosses your path be happy about it. In Anglo Saxon culture this is good luck!